I'm totally thrilled, picked up two Raleigh Sports 3 speed bikes this morning at a rummage sale. Fairly sure from the original owners. S/A hub on the men's has a 69 stamped onto it so I believe these are both 1969 models. Both brown, both with original appearing Brook's saddles. Men's was tuned up last year, woman's wasn't ridden for many years. Both still have the original fenders too. I don't think I can post pics with the phone so pics will come later today.

One of the guys at the shop desperately wants them but I'm going to tell him I have to show them to my wife first.

Yesterday I picked up a front Wald basket that might go nicely on these. I've also got two pair of rear wire side baskets that might complete these. Or maybe just leave them as is apart from a tune and new tires and brake pads on the woman's bike.

I'm thinking these are going to be keepers. The guy at the shop is going to be bummed out, he wants them bad.

Like you, I bought a pair of green Sports last year from a seller here in MO. Both bikes were in excellent condition and were obviously well maintained. They had Brooks B-72 saddles with the typical vinyl saddle bag attached, rear racks and new tires. Best part is he only wanted $125 for the pair.

The two tools, the small channel lock and the multi-tool were in the seat bag. The woman said there were a couple of tools in it.

A bit of rust starting to bubble up under the paint in places, but for 40 year old bikes they're in decent condition.

I picked up the Kendas (26x1-3/8", size 590, or according to Sheldon 650A) which should look okay on the bike. I'll probably order a second pair since the men's bike's tires are showing age cracks.

The woman's saddle had a sheep fur cover over it. Both need a little Brooks ProofHide treatment, both are B17's and appear original. The tires on the womans bike also appear potentially original (or not).

Does anyone know if the pedals on both bikes are original? They're different between the bikes but both have what appears to be Raleigh artwork in the rubber footpads.

Also, does anyone know what the brackets are for hanging in front of the headtube? They look sort of like reflector mounts but they have the Raleigh graphics on them so I'm wondering if they instead were some sort of bag/basket mount?????

And it must be cottered crank day or something. I went past a rummage sale on the way home and saw a unicycle laying in the grass so I swung a u-turn in the car and went back and got a deal on it.

I guess I should mention that this morning the men's bike had a sticker on the seat saying $40, which I assume was for each bike separately. I hummed and hawed a bit and said I'd probably have to run to the grocery store atm for more cash, mentioned I only had $30 with me, and she said that would do for both bikes. I was one happy camper. And with the unicycle purchase on the way home I was still under $40 for the day.

nice finds!
A couple of notes:
the saddles are B72--standard issue on the raleigh sports of the time--wider than the B17 and include an interesting spring in the frame. Also, the thing attached to the headtube with the raleigh heron is for attaching a headlamp. The lamp came standard on the raleigh superbe, but could have been purchased as an upgrade for a sports.

Enjoy your new rides!
Allan

PS: I'm fully jealous of you over those tools! I would love to have a multi-wrench like that for my raleigh superbe

I was just looking for a Brooks saddle for my Robin Hood, and found a matching set of Black his and hers Raleigh Sports, from about the same vintage. The lady's bike has been ridden a lot, as the saddle shows some wear and it's going to need some maintenance. The gent's has a new condition B66 saddle. The bike is bigger than the Robin Hood, but seems to fit me better. I think I will overhaul the lady's for my wife and keep the gent's to ride around town.

The woman's bike seems to be fully functional, pumped the tires up some and rode around the block. Apart from some brake squeal it worked well. The men's bike needs a little attention in the steering, probably just a good cleaning and fresh grease would do it. It felt a little small for me but I could live with it for short rides around town. I might have to get me a proper British hat to wear while riding it however. ;-)

Hi, The stamped out multi spanner is genuine the Adjustable Pump Pliers are not Raleigh Issue. The pedals with Amber Reflectors built in are later (1980s). Every household in this country had one or two of those Raleigh Multi Spanners, I think there were more than one design or pattern. These Spanners are quite often found at Car Boot (Trunk) Sales. I just Bought my wife a 1970 Sport Stainless Steel Wheels and Spokes, 4 speed Sturmey Archer Dynohub. Needed some work, but I am now riding it around our village. I prefer the riding position to that of my 1986 Raleigh Superbe, Town Bike. Those "Dare" Grips are 1950s and are hard to find in good condition .. Both our Cycles have Full Chain Guards. A bit of a pain to attend to Puncture or fit new Tyre on Rear wheels. Alol the best, Ged' , From England.

It felt a little small for me but I could live with it for short rides

You know, I had the same experience! I once went to see a 24" (I think...) Raleigh Sports and the front wheel felt cramped. I ended up skipping the Sports and buying a Roadster w/ 28" tyres from the same guy. It was the right choice for me, I really like my vintage rod-braked Roadster.

Perhaps the men's Sports, even in a tall frame, are a bit shorter in the wheel base? I am not sure what else could explain this.

Yes, I'd bet any amount that the Sports has a shorter wheelbase than the Roadster, though I haven't measured them. How tall are you, MDI? I'm 5'9" and don't feel cramped on a Sports, though I can imagine tall guys would.

I'm going to have to measure the frames tomorrow. I did pull out the seatpost and found it was only inserted into the seattube about an inch - glad I checked it. Slipped it down a bit more for safety but haven't sat on it yet at the new height. At least the stem was set to a decent depth.

both of my frames are 21" measured center to top. The top tube of the men's bike is about 54cm or so.

I just rotated the seat clamp 180deg and found a longer seatpost that fit in the garage. So with the seat at a reasonable height and the sitting farther back the bike feels much better now. Still a bit cramped with the handlebars so I might play around with a different stem or different bars or both. But as it sits now I can live with it.

My wife really liked them when she finally saw them in the daylight. We now have our weekend ride to breakfast and down to the harbor bikes.